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Summer Reading Challenge: Thousands of children pledge to read and support libraries this summer
This weekend thousands of children and families are pledging to use their local library over the summer and help libraries set a new Guinness World RecordsTM title for Most Pledges Received for a Reading Campaign, it was announced today on the eve of the official start date of the 2015 Summer Reading Challenge.
Organised by charity The Reading Agency and the public library network, the annual Summer Reading Challenge, aimed at 4-11 year olds, is the biggest reading for pleasure programme in the UK with over 800,000 children taking part for fun last summer. Now entering its 17th year, it’s become the highlight of the summer for many families and helps them rediscover their local library.
Every year there is a new theme and this year the Summer Reading Challenge has teamed up with Guinness World Records - the global authority in record-breaking achievements and publisher of the annual Guinness World Records™ book – to create Record Breakers. Children sign up at the library and receive a special poster. As they borrow and read at least six library books over the summer, children collect stickers to complete their poster and discover fascinating facts about record breakers as they go.
The Reading Agency is calling on people of all ages, across the country to pledge to use their local library over the summer and help libraries set the Guinness World RecordsTM title this weekend. Libraries are collecting pledges between Friday 10 and Monday 13 July; Canada Water library in London is kicking things off this morning with hundreds of local school children pledging and attending special Q&A sessions with Guinness World Records adjudicators. Much-loved children’s authors including new children’s laureate Chris Riddell and Julia Donaldson will be pledging their support at their local library this weekend.
Research shows that reading for pleasure is vital for children’s life chances, and that children who use libraries are twice as likely to be above average readers.[1] The Summer Reading Challenge builds confidence and independent reading, while preventing the dip in children’s literacy levels during the long break from school. It’s fun, free and inclusive for children and their families, keeping children reading and using their library throughout the summer holidays.
Sue Wilkinson, CEO of The Reading Agency, says: “At The Reading Agency we believe that everything changes when we read. The Summer Reading Challenge, developed and delivered in partnership with librarians across the UK, is a fantastic programme which makes reading fun and improves children’s reading range, motivation and confidence, and opportunities. This year, the Record Breakers-themed Challenge is all about achieving your personal best, so we want as many people as possible to join us and pledge to use their local library this summer.”
Jacqueline Wilson says: “When I was a child I'd always rush to the local library at the start of the summer holidays and choose an armful of special books. I was so fanatical about reading I'd whizz through them in a week, and then make a new selection. I'd read and read and read - in the park, on the beach, early in the morning, last thing at night. I still do!
“It's lovely that so many children still love reading and are happy to join in the Summer Reading Challenge. I think we'll definitely set a new Guinness World RecordsTM title for the Most Pledges Received for a Reading Campaign.”
Children can use the special website recordbreakers.org.uk to create a profile, chat about books, and get help on what to read next, via the digital Book Sorter which already offers over 450,000 peer to peer children’s book recommendations in child-friendly categories. There’s also a free downloadable app (designed by SOLUS UK) which recognises key Record Breakers illustrations and triggers video clips and games.
The Summer Reading Challenge reaches children and young people of all ages. For pre-schoolers there is a mini-challenge and for young people (aged 13 to 24) there is the opportunity to volunteer and support younger children taking part. Volunteering provides a quality workplace experience for young people in libraries, inspires them to think about future careers and increases their employability as they gain useful life skills and confidence. Last year over 8,000 young people volunteered. Young volunteers will be helping with the Challenge, supported and funded by the Cabinet Office, as part of Reading Hack, the new young people’s programme from The Reading Agency which is currently in its pilot year and kindly funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
The official launch date of the Summer Reading Challenge in England and Wales is Saturday 11 July (although local variation applies). The Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland is already underway.
Follow the Summer Reading Challenge on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SummerReadingChallengeUK
[1] http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/news/2984_children_who_use_the_library_are_twice_as_likely_to_be_above_average_readers